Abstract
Augmented Reality (AR) technology, as one of the emerging innovative technologies, is proven to have the potential to facilitate second language acquisition in terms of contextualized visualization and learning interactivity. Nevertheless, no empirical research has been conducted on the use of an AR-assisted approach to help adult Chinese language learners (CFL) acquire Chinese characters, which is a major challenge in CFL education. This study utilized a quasi-experimental research method to examine the effects of the AR-assisted approach on adult CFL learners’ Chinese character recognition, writing, and memorization, as well as their attitudes and perceptions toward this kind of learning approach. Fifty elementary CFL learners, divided into an AR learning group and a traditional learning group, participated in this study. The results indicated that 1) the AR-assisted approach facilitated the recognition of semantic traits of a Chinese character, but not its morphological and phonological features, that 2) the AR-assisted approach enhanced the learners’ command of the stroke order of a Chinese character but did not aid in writing the overall structure of a character, that 3) the AR-assisted approach promoted the memorization of the meaning of a character, however, failed to extend the memory retention of other aspects of the character, and that 4) learners were generally interested in the AR-assisted approach and held positive attitudes toward it, willing to use it more in their future education. In a word, the AR-assisted approach is worth trying in Chinese character acquisition for adult CFL learners though it still needs improvement.
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The data and the teaching materials are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Funding
This work was supported by the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Program of the Education Department of Henan Province [河南省高校人文社会科学研究一般项目 grant number 2023-ZZJH-376]; the eleventh China Foreign Language Education Fund [第十一批中国外语教育基金项目 grant number ZGWYJYJJ11A133]; Project of Humanities and Social Sciences of Henan Province [河南省哲学社会科学规划项目grant number 2023CYY037]; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [中国博士后科学基金面上资助 grant number 2023M733249]; and Zhengzhou University [郑州大学教学改革研究项目 grant number 2022ZZUJG117].
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Wang, Y., Wang, X. Using AR-assisted approach in Chinese character acquisition for adult CFL learners. Educ Inf Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12562-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12562-w